At just 20 years old, Monica Barragan completed a career goal of a lifetime: working for the Democratic National Committee at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Though she rubbed elbows with prominent Democrats from all 50 states as they officially made their nominations for United States president and vice president, her participation at the convention is just a stepping stone to a career in service and leadership. The California State University, Northridge alumna has come a long way since being a shy and soft spoken teenager from Sonoma County.
“Some of my old teachers say when they try and think back about what I used to say in class, it was nothing because I wasn’t really one to talk a lot,” said Barragan ‘23 (political science – law and society).
Towards Public Service
A turning point came in 2020 when Barragan was a high school junior.
The students of that era were in a unique time capsule — once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, a politically distraught climate and the nation’s largest protest movement which was sparked by police brutality.
“I just saw a lot of communities not being accurately represented or a lot of people who didn’t feel like they had a voice,” Barragan said. “That pushed me towards public service.”
Barragan took several community college classes while in high school, which enabled her to graduate CSUN early. A political science community college class led Barragan to study politics. As Barragan researched universities that would set her on a solid pathway, she discovered that CSUN’s program in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences was the best fit. Her work led to her national-level recognition as an up-and-coming political leader.
Arriving in D.C.
From January to May 2023, she interned on Capitol Hill through the CSUN in D.C. program, where she received hands-on experience and built her professional network with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus’ fundraising arm, BOLD PAC.
Political Science Professor Lawrence Becker, the CSUN in D.C. coordinator, helped her land her internship.
“I give a lot of credit to him specifically and that program for where I’m at today,” Barragan said.
Becker described Barragan as a hardworking, bright, nice person who is going to go far.
“When you are a nice person, especially in this business of politics, people notice that,” Becker said. “People want to have you on their team next time around.”
After graduating CSUN in December 2023, Barragan was hired as a campaign manager for a successful state assembly primary race in Northern California. She then moved back to Washington, DC to be one of the 12 members nationwide selected to be a part of the competitive Build the Bench program. The Democratic National Committee mentorship program aims to train the next generation of talented, diverse leaders in progressive politics.
More Work to Do
Barragan took classes on writing press releases and conducting research before working with the communications department to learn how the DNC communicates, engages and mobilizes voters. She spent three months this past summer in Chicago doing this work for the DNC, culminating in her experience at the party’s national convention.
“She’s just a really impressive, grounded person who puts herself out there and has had a lot of success at a really early age,” Becker said.
Right now, Barragan is back on the campaign trail for the state assembly race in the Bay area while studying for the LSAT. She sees herself running for elected office in her hometown.
“I want to come into elected office and listen to the needs of the community, listen to what needs to be done and just be someone that people can trust,” Barragan said.
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